Vinyl Cutter Introduction Video
The above video shows a simple introduction video of the vinyl cutter, but I listed a additional video to show you my inexpensive process with free software & the use of a value cutter.
Picking Out A Vinyl Cutter
Sandcarving
Sandcarving requires higher pressures than surface type etchings, so you will typically need a thicker stencil resists. When picking out a vinyl cutter for sandcarving, you need to make sure that the cutting force is strong enough for the thickness of resist. I encourage you to check with the manufacturer.
Cutting Blades for Sandcarving Resists
Thicker resists need a steeper angle (or pointer) on the cutting blade such as 60 degrees, while thinner resists can use a 45 degree blade. I talked about this more to help explain picking a vinyl cutter blade here.
Value Cutters vs. Professional Cutter for Sandcarving Resists
A lot of value cutters like the Creation brand that I suggest and own can cut thicker sandcarving resists but it really isn’t recommended for long term use. I sometimes cut out stencils from a 35 mil thick sandcarving resist with my Creation value cutter.
But most value cutters use a stepper motor, while professional ones use a servo motor which is more durable for cutting thicker sandblast stencil resists continuously. Typically the value cutters will work fine for glass etchers and occasionally cutting out thick sandmasks but it is ideal to use a professional grade cutter with a servo motor for a continuous sandmask cutting. This outside review is probably the most informative and helpful article on choosing a value cutter: blog.stahls.com/cheap-cutter-review/
Other Options: Value Cutters with Sandcarving Resists
These are some other options that I came up with to use a value cutter for creating sandcarving resists to help you save money which I don’t hear many people talking about. Please read my post on selecting a stencil resist which shows my other money saving options for sandcarving resists.
Cream Etching & Surface Sandblast Etching Resists
Just about all types of cutters will be able to cut a stencil thick enough for cream or surface sandblast etching, whether its a craft, value, or professional cutter. If this is all you’re doing, the cheaper value cutters and craft cutters will typically be more than suitable for you since most of these etching processes only require a thin 3 mil vinyl stencil.
Sources for Low Cost Vinyl Cutters
Value Cutter Brands
• Creation: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/creation
• Vinyl Express: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/vinyl-express
• Seiki: http://www.seikitech.com
• All USCutter products: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/uscutter
Professional Grade Cutter Brands/ Sources
• Roland: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/roland
• Graphtec: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/graphtec
• Summa: http://www.summausa.com
• Copam: https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/copam